Okay I'm using your "write crap" mantra...

The Lonely One · Jun 2, 2009

but I won't like it!

Jeez it's hard to pry myself away from a sentence I'm unhappy with.

I'm hoping (praying?) that the prying gets easier with time. My fingers are getting sore.

Oh, and leave an editor's note rather than fix something on the spot? I feel vomit coming into my mouth.

Ah, perfectionism, you dirty bastard. How long did it take you to leave well enough alone? Also, any of the fun mental tricks you use. Besides cookies. I'd get diabetes.

scarletpeaches · Jun 2, 2009

*ahem*

I don't set out to write crap, I just tell myself not to bother if I do.

Repeat after me: it can be fixed during the edits. It can be fixed during the edits.

The Lonely One · Jun 2, 2009

Great, did you tell on me? My red pen has been taken away

I know this topic is oldy and moldy, just wanted to vent to my support group. So. Sorry about that.

MumblingSage · Jun 2, 2009

I successfully managed to break free of the perfectionist strain. I just can't remember how I did it--persistence, mainly, I think. And reminding myself that,

scarletpeaches
it can be fixed during the edits. It can be fixed during the edits.

wickedxwango · Jun 2, 2009

I'm with you. I don't know if it's the OCD talking or what, but I never manage to let go of what i've already written (unless I don't care and I'm just trying to get it done, in which case it's not worth anything in the first place).

But good for you for trying to pry away. It can always be fixed later.

Good luck!

SilverPhoenix · Jun 2, 2009

Yep, we all struggle with it. I'm calling my writing a 'rough outline of the first draft' in my head at the moment, to stop myself nitpicking at every sentence or word I don't like.

The Lonely One · Jun 2, 2009

rough outline of the first draft.

Huh. I like it.

Jennasis · Jun 2, 2009

It's taking me a week to get through one friggin' chapter lately. And that's when I do a rush job! I'm killing me...really. I need to just keep pushing on. Lather...rinse...repeat.

The Lonely One · Jun 2, 2009

Well I will say the "prying" is helping. I finished chapter 2 last night. Finished chapter 1 two nights earlier (that one was a little longer).

So. Pry on, I guess?

BlueLucario · Jun 2, 2009

Of course it's going to be edited, the question is: How?

Mr Flibble · Jun 2, 2009

I manage it for a while. Lots of XXXX add in Y here XXX or XXX what the F is that?XXXX and changes of plot that require me going back to earlier chapters to fix.

I get to about 2/3 or 3/4 of the way through then I go back and tidy most of them ( esp the plot changers) so I'm set for the climax. I can't write the end without the rest being tidy! More because if the plot's changed, the climax will have to change too and going back gets me into the flow of the story.

Sarashay · Jun 2, 2009

I always look at painful sentences (yeah, I write them) as 'placeholders' for better sentences that will be written later once the draft is completed.

One way I've heard it is that the first draft is the downdraft, where you just get it all down, and then the subsequent drafts are the updrafts, where you fix everything up.

AceTachyon · Jun 2, 2009

SilverPhoenix said:
I'm calling my writing a 'rough outline of the first draft' in my head at the moment

I like to use the term "brain vomit."

My placeholders usually say things like "they escape somehow here, add more," "she goes batshit, describe," and "insert tech description here."

Ctairo · Jun 2, 2009

It's not crap unless you poop it out. Oh sure, it's not all shiny, but neither is coal. It takes time to make that diamond.

I gave myself permission to just power through, so now, I power through. Once you make that decision (as you have), it's just a matter of owning it. Owning it will help free you from hating the change. Forget how you used to do it; pay attention to how you're doing it now.

Gee, that comes off a little self-help guru-ish, doesn't it? :tongue

soapdish · Jun 2, 2009

IdiotsRUs said:
I manage it for a while. Lots of XXXX add in Y here XXX or XXX what the F is that?XXXX and changes of plot that require me going back to earlier chapters to fix.

I get to about 2/3 or 3/4 of the way through then I go back and tidy most of them ( esp the plot changers) so I'm set for the climax. I can't write the end without the rest being tidy! More because if the plot's changed, the climax will have to change too and going back gets me into the flow of the story.

Oh Thank God! This is how mine looks too :tongue

I can't possibly stop to evaluate things. I use brackets and all caps to signal to myself later how to fill in. Like (INSERT METAPHOR HERE) when I know a metaphor (or other device) is going to make it pop, but just can't pull one out of my ass at that moment.

And I often talk to myself in all caps too, cursing etc. But then I push forward because stopping for any longer than a minute or two on a sentence interrupts my flow and I won't be able to get the rest of my thoughts out if I pause for too long.

I am now going through revisions on my 'rough outline of the first draft' (as SilverPhoenix calls it) and it sucks because I am now accountable for all of those bracketed and all caps spots. But if I had stopped and agonized over specific sentences during that first draft, I would have burnt out by the end of chap. 1.

AceTachyon · Jun 2, 2009

Ctairo said:
Gee, that comes off a little self-help guru-ish, doesn't it?

Only if you add in a bit about walking across hot coals.

motormind · Jun 2, 2009

I simply keep reminding myself that I can't write, but that it doesn't have to be an obstacle as long as there's something in my output that has some appeal, even if it's only raw energy. Plus it's fun to finally have some characters do what I say, even if they're only fictional.

Okay I'm using your "write crap" mantra...

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

scarletpeaches

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

MumblingSage

Inarticulate Herb

wickedxwango

SilverPhoenix

Revisions, revisions, revisions

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Jennasis

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

BlueLucario

Blood Elves FTW

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Sarashay

Shut Up and Write

AceTachyon

Odd person

Ctairo

Why Isn't IGNORE Available in RL?

soapdish

writing

AceTachyon

Odd person

motormind